New USEPA lead paint renovation ruleBy Raymond T. ReottEnvironmental Law, October 2010Earlier this year the U.S. EPA adopted new rules involving the renovation and repair of pre-1978 structures with suspected lead-based paint.
Illinois adopts green building standards for state projectsBy Raymond T. ReottEnvironmental Law, September 2010The Green Buildings Act, enacted in Illinois in 2009, requires all new state-funded building construction and major renovations of existing facilities to seek clarification under green building standards.
In sitesGovernment Lawyers, September 2010A list of Web sites that disclose information about property and facilities.
New CERCLA settlement obstaclesBy Robert OlianEnvironmental Law, September 2010A look at the recently decided case of Agere Systems, Inc., et al. v.Advanced Environmental Technology Corporation, et al, which will have a broad-reaching effect on potentially responsible parties.
SEC issues interpretive guidance on climate change disclosure requirements for public companiesBy Dustin T. TillBusiness and Securities Law, June 2010The SEC has published a new interpretive document intended to inform public companies of their obligation to disclose to investors the impacts on their businesses—both positive and negative—of existing and proposed climate change laws and regulations.
Clean Water Restoration ActBy Jeff BakerEnvironmental Law, May 2010The current Clean Water Act extends only to “navigable waters.” But the recently introduced Clean Water Restoration Act would replace the current "navigable waters" language for the broader “waters of the United States.”
SEC issues interpretive guidance on climate change disclosure requirements for public companiesBy Dustin T. TillEnvironmental Law, May 2010The SEC has published a new interpretive document intended to inform public companies of their obligation to disclose to investors the impacts on their businesses—both positive and negative—of existing and proposed climate change laws and regulations.
Environmental cleanup claims survive bankruptcy: US v. Apex Oil Co., Inc.By Raymond T. Reott and Becky J. SchanzCommercial Banking, Collections, and Bankruptcy, March 2010Courts have issued conflicting opinions on whether claims for injunctions ordering the cleanup of environmental contamination are discharged in a bankruptcy proceeding.
Is your remediation green enough?By John Van VrankenEnvironmental Law, January 2010It is self-evident that remediation of environmental contamination benefits the environment. But is the remediation itself green enough? This is a hot topic for federal and state regulators and is affecting how remediations are actually conducted.
Vapor intrusion rulemaking stayedBy Raymond T. ReottEnvironmental Law, January 2010The Illinois Pollution Control Board has stayed the long-anticipated vapor intrusion rulemaking.
A green economy: What does corporate counsel need to know?By E. Lynn GraysonCorporate Law Departments, December 2009A media buzz surrounds the politically charged concept of developing a green economy by investing in initiatives that are good for the environment and financially beneficial for business
Making business sense of building green in the MidwestBy Christina SpicerBusiness Advice and Financial Planning, December 2009Over the past couple of years, there has been a lot of talk about green buildings and the high costs associated with building to green standards.
Environmental cleanup claims survive bankruptcy: US v. Apex Oil Co., Inc.By Raymond T. Reott and Becky J. SchanzEnvironmental Law, October 2009In general, once a company files for reorganization under the federal bankruptcy laws and is reorganized, old creditors may not pursue debts arising before the reorganization.
Encased asbestos: Dangerous or safe?By Becky J. SchanzEnvironmental Law, April 2009A recent Seventh Circuit opinion addressed a seller’s potential liability for asbestos that remains within a building after it is sold.
Indoor air inhalation updateBy Raymond T. ReottEnvironmental Law, February 2009The Illinois EPA has submitted a proposal to the Illinois Pollution Control Board to add an indoor inhalation pathway to the Illinois cleanup objectives.
Legislative updateBy Kyle RomingerEnvironmental Law, February 2009An overview of environmental legislation signed into law in 2008.
Management of urban soils as “Clean construction and demolition debris”By Joseph R. Podlewski, Jr.Environmental Law, February 2009For several years those engaged in redevelopment of urban sites in Illinois have advocated the classification of soils containing contaminants (particularly lead and polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons, or PNAs) within area background concentrations as “Clean Construction and Demotion Debris,” or “CCDD.”
Phase I Environmental Site Assessments: The familiar strangerBy Phillip R. Van NessReal Estate Law, February 2009An attorney charged with guiding his or her Illinois client through a Phase I doesn’t have to understand the science behind it (although that surely won’t hurt). But he or she does have to know whether the Phase I at least prima facie appears to comport with the essential elements of a valid Phase I. At this point, it may be advisable to secure the services of an environmental lawyer, but even a non-technically trained lawyer can put together a checklist that greatly increases the odds that the client will have a Phase I it can rely on.
Illinois EPA submits indoor air quality proposalEnvironmental Law, December 2008As has been discussed for some time, Illinois EPA recently submitted a proposed rulemaking to the Illinois Pollution Control Board on the topic of adding indoor air quality limitations to the Tiered Approach to Corrective Action Objectives (“TACO”) system.
Legislative updateBy Kyle RomingerEnvironmental Law, September 2008The following is a brief review of environmental-related legislation signed into law in 2007.
Regulatory developments in 2007By Monica RiosEnvironmental Law, September 2008The Illinois Pollution Control Board (“Board”) was created by the Illinois Environmental Protection Act (“Act”) and is responsible under that Act for adopting many of the environmental regulations at force in the State of Illinois.
